Hoops

Unfathomed Madness

The same process, going forth with its self over and over again. The same mindset, taking place in the humans mental capacity. Replaying its broken thoughts, for what seems like ages. Relaying the same mundane and lackluster message of utter madness. But yet, the host, unknowingly, follows through with the set of tasks. Without any true recollection of what’s going on. They repeat what looks to be the same in the eyes of us fans, expecting yet, a different result. What I just mentioned is madness. And this, is surprisingly coherent throughout the years of NBA past, present, and will be all but inevitable in the near future. Doing this though, in what seems to be unthinkable. Unbelievable in some aspects.

Madness is quite simply, without all of the fancy words, doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting a completely different outcome. Something that seems peculiar to do. But, in fact, is fairly common throughout the modern day NBA. As I’ll further reiterate to you, madness stems from a variety of different things. However, these are just a few circumstances that I deem, unfathomable.

This, is Unfathomed Madness.

☆ ★—★ ☆

~•~Phoenix Suns~•~

Following Steve Nash’s departure from the organization, in turn, shipping out to LA, the Suns started to struggle. With little direction Phoenix headed into the future blind, as without Nash, they had no offense. So, like any team would do, the Suns started to, once again, look ahead. With an obvious spot to fill at the point guard position, the Suns, unwilling to go all in with Goran Dragic as the head of there offense, it became apparent that filling that spot was truly all that mattered. Even at the expense of other positions, something we definitely could infer during the lucrative trades going on.

The point guards, I have to admit, were all but bad. In fact, on there own, each of the three point guards went on to have a rather successful career. First, as we know, the Suns wanted Dragic to be Nash’s successor. Then though, as aspirations, along with management changed, Dragic’s spot on the team, became hazed. Untrusting in some of his on the court traits, Suns management decided to make a literal competition at the point guard role. Acquiring now all-star Isiah Thomas, then, later, obtaining Eric Bledsoe, the position was packed with raw talent. This though, on its own right, was flat-out idiotic. They except a profound difference to be made when a player barely has time to play. However, being the Suns, the management still expected wins. In fact, they expected to be title contenders in no time.

Madness, as we know, is doing the same thing, and expecting different results. Not only did the Suns draft yet another point guard after Dragic’s departure, but the Suns are guilty for doing yet again, this same thing mid-way through the 90’s. The Mavericks had just traded Jason Kidd to the Suns. A promising point guard who’s potential looked unrivaled. Especially in Phoenix. However, due to limited playing time, he was never truly able to blossom. Why was he left to be a third string point guard you may ask. Even when a player like that obviously was just at another, greater caliber than everyone else. Well, you most likely guessed it, as once again, the Suns had jumbled there back court into a complete mess.

Containing Mark Jackson, Kevin Johnson, and Jason Kidd. There was absolutely no breathing room, constantly in constant competition in each other, the three star-studded players often struggled to maintain there role. This, quite apparently, is not the way to go when trying to reform a team. The Suns saw how it failed once, yet, they decided to repeat the process once again. This time, looking for a better result. Well, let me tell you, this, is madness. Not only did they repeat the same thought process, but they acquired the same brand of player, three times, in the time span of merely a year.

The Suns are the definition of madness in some respects. They somehow decided that there failed experiments in the past, would some how work in present day. Unfortunately for them, that just simply wasn’t the case. Now, this is all but one form of madness in the NBA. There, obviously, are much more. Which, in turn, leads me to the next entry.

~•~Chicago Bulls~•~

Age for the Chicago Bulls, is but a number. Obviously. As going into this previous season, they decided to waste it all, on merely players whose primes had been played. Players, who were now, mere husks of there former selves. Clinging onto the league in any way they see fit. You see, this was merely a rejuvenation process for the Bulls. One that left us, in dismay. Why would you, when trying to build a team with so few assets, to contend for marvelous goals, abide by contracts to constrain players old talents to your team. This, understandingly, is why the Bulls front office has come under bombardment of hate, especially at the rate of which we view now.

Of course, with the recent explosion of Lauri into the scene, swiftly followed by Kris Dunn, the Bulls have saved themselves. However, that still doesn’t condone there past deeds. Nor does that give us any insight onto why, truly, would they make such a bone-headed move such as this. To give you a background, the Bulls were coming off of a sudo-deep playoff run. Where Derrick Rose showed flashes of his former self. Single handedly winning a couple of games. After a heartbreaking loss at the hands of Cleveland though, it became quite evident that the Bulls simply couldn’t keep up with the talent around them. So, like any smart franchise would do, they traded away Rose and Noah, to start what we thought was a rebuilding era in Chicago.

This however, couldn’t have been more wrong. As almost instantly after trading away two of there biggest pieces contributing to there past success, they decided that rebuilding was simply not a must need process that they would have to go through at the time. Having belief in Butler as there go to guy, they went out to obtain a player that shared the same position as Him. His name, was Dywane Wade. A veteran, who’s recent play had been spoiled by injuries that understandably come with age. Causing a sense of contention at a position that shouldn’t have had trace of it.

Then, as there logic still didn’t factor into play, to subsidize the pore shooting from the backcourt, the Bulls decided to make a play on Rajan Rondo. A player who’s offensive attributes lay far from desired. In fact, a man who’s offensive productivity lacked so much, that defenders rarely feared Rondo, often sagging off of him in any possible situation. Causing yet again, another problem. This time though, in the mere spacing of the floor. At this moment, the Bull’s future looked hazed, at best. What once looked like a season that would mark the start of a rebuild. Instead, signaled once again, a hopeless season of contention. To waste yet again, another season of Butlers prime.

Finishing as a eighth seed, the Bulls were quickly dismantled, being thrown out of the playoffs in just the first round. All of this, marks back to the offseason. Where moves that we deem unfathomable occurred. Better yet, perplexing. An organization, conflicted, with no true sense of direction, they aim for the middle, and hope for the best. And that, sadly, never arose to be successful. In fact, all you have to do is merely gaze back into the folds of time. Where you see just how idiotic this move was. If it had never worked up till now, what makes you think that this time, things will fall in line, completing your dream, in a flawless fashion?

~•~Minnesota Timberwolves~•~

The Timberwolves, especially in the early 2000’s, were definitely an interesting group. Carried by Kevin Garnett through thick and thin, the Timberwolves had a perplexing young history. Through confusing, yet awful moves, the Timberwolves punched a one way ticket to failure. As through everything, in the end, Minnesota got rid of there superstar, Kevin Garnett. For that, the city ridiculed the general manager, Kevin Mchale. As that was finally the last straw. Minnesota had kicked Mchale to the curb. Rightfully so, move after move, Mchale proved that his firing was worthwhile. As Minnesota’s future has been put in ruins. For what looked like years.

As we start with a string of bad decisions. Mchale put in place the signing of multiple questionable players. Then, taking part in trades that meant the downfall of the organization. Of course, finishing his career in Minnesota, with shipping Garnett to the Celtics. In exchange for a mere mundane package. Of course, we can’t forget McHale’s intriguing sighings, such as Sam Cassel. A key piece in Minnesota’s most important and successful season to this date. Where we saw Garnett, along with Cassel, carry there team to a western conference finals appearance.

This, sadly, was the one and only season that magnified Minnesota in an important light. As soon, like I keep repeatedly mentioning, Garnett was then traded. Plummeting the Timberwolves into a playoff drought that has continued to last since that trade. Since that fateful day, that systematically ruined the Timberwolves for years to come. We, now, are witnessing possibly the best and most promising season since the Timberwolves early demise. Yet again, another reminder for how, exactly, have McHale’s decisions effected the current state of the league we see today.

I will give McHale credit though. At first, his decisions were widely looked upon as smart, ingenious in some eyes. But through strands of bad luck, the public opinion understandably worsened. Through tragic deaths, the franchise stayed intact. Luckily I might add. Nor should we forget Stephon Marburys contributions as well. However, I would like to state, all of this doesn’t fall on McHale. In fact, a majority of the Timberwolves failures falls on David Kahn, the owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Who’s ideals replicated much of the same from the Suns. Coinciding with a plethora of point guards mindset. Drafting notable failures such as Ty Lawson and Johnny Flynn.

For the Timberwolves though, unlike any other entry so far in this blog, there failure and perplexing choices have stretched over what seems to be a millennia. But in all honesty, it’s been a decade. Times, now, seem to be promising. That doesn’t condone Kahn’s past mistakes though. In fact, that merely magnifies the past ten-fold. As yet again, the Timberwolves, consumed with a perplexing drive of similarity, selected yet again, another point guard. This time a man with the name of Ricky Rubio. Becoming just another guard, who’s presence on the team, is no longer identifiable.

Translating that pick, that player, into merely another mistake. Waiting to be rehashed by me, of all people. This, quite simply, is madness. But in its alternate form. A situation created merely due to the state of which the decision was called in. Showing us yet again, an unfathomable strand of events. That some how found its way to reek havoc on just another franchise.

~•~Dallas Mavericks~•~

Coming into the 2012 NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks, the reigning champions, had quite noticeably a much weaker team than the year before. Why was this you might ask? Well, although age was a factor, it was more or less Mark Cuban’s fault. As he decided to part ways with many of the Mavericks greatest contributors during there championship season. This, came as a shock to some. In fact, it left most of Dallas in dismay. As there once cherished and feared team, had subsequently become no more. This, undoubtedly, was a cause and effect of the NBA’s change in cap. Cuban, at the time, felt that by getting rid of his most valuable players via trade or free agency, he was somewhat outsmarting the system.

As that would put them under the cap limit, greatly. In turn, making the Mavericks more viable to big name free agents. However, as history always repeats itself, Dallas has never been a place that free agents greatly desire. In fact, the Mavericks notable “huge” signings that offseason were O.J Mayo, an excellent scorer I might add. A player whose potential far outweighed most. However, a man troubled by nagging flaws, that in the end, simply couldn’t be overcome. Plaguing his once promising career. Thus, concluding the Mavericks lackluster free agency. Ultimately leading the Mavericks down a devastating road, arriving them at the destination that we see them at today. One of utter hopelessness.

This, much like histories past, doomed the Mavericks for years to come. As we take a look back in the years of time, following there Western Conference Finals appearance in the 1988 season, Don Carter shared much of the same mindset Cuban did. Out with the old, and in new. Dallas, after taking the Lakers to seven, losing in the mere final remnants of the game, should’ve been a free agent hotspot for years to come. Instead, they ruined themselves. Getting rid of players such as Rolando Blackman, Mark Aguirre, and Dereck Harper. There hardened core had become no more. Trading them off, and or letting them simply walk. Carter had dismantled this once promising team, in the mere blink of the eye. A sad, yet according outcome to this all.

That example, should’ve been a lesson. One that Cuban could take in, and really ponder if what he was about to do, was truly sane. However, following with the theme of this blog, Cuban’s foresight has failed. But what was most endearing, is the fact that it had happened before. That Cuban couldn’t simply look back, into the mere past of the team he had always loved. Thus, finally, making the scaring decisions he did. Turning Dallas into the team we see them as today. A nothing. A team who’s goals lay mislead. And with no true direction, they stay stuck in a constant limbo. Held between the temptations of winning, and the priming results of losing. Making there madness something greater than anything we can comprehend. Something, unfathomable.

☆ ★—★ ☆

The NBA, as we know, has always provided us with a variety of different situations. Good or bad, looking back, it’s always fun to see what went wrong. Or specifically, what to learn in order to shield yourself, and your team, from revisiting those same events. Which, is why, looking back at these actions, we are somewhat left at dismay. As the past as already presented the lesson. Yet, you as a person, has yet to take that lesson in. In fact, they have yet to embrace it. Which is why blogs like this come to be. The pure immaturity, or yet, lack of attention to simply ponder back in the years of time, leading from already played out scenarios, shows just how dedicated someone is. In fact, it leaves us a a loss for words. As the owners or general managers make moves that are purely unfathomable. Leaving us in dismay, we watch, we laugh, and we judge. But never can we grasp how something like this seems sane. Deducting that this can only be chalked up to madness. In its purest form.